About the YES Program
YES students are chosen to serve as "youth ambassadors" of their home country. During their year in the U.S., they live with a host family, attend an American high school, and participate in leadership and cultural exchange activities. Through these experiences, they learn about U.S. society and values while educating Americans about Saudi Arabia and its rich cultural heritage.
The program officially launched in Saudi Arabia in 2005, with the goal of expanding communication and promoting mutual respect between the people of Saudi Arabia and the United States. To date, 212 Saudi students have successfully completed the program and continue to contribute as YES alumni.
Program Benefits
- Fully Funded Program: The YES program covers all major expenses, including round-trip airfare, living with a host family, health insurance, a monthly stipend, and school costs.
- Cultural Exchange: Participants live with an American host family, attend an American high school, and engage in activities that promote mutual cultural understanding.
- Leadership Development: Students gain valuable leadership skills, participate in community service, and engage in civic education activities.
- Personal Growth: The program encourages personal development, helping students build lifelong friendships and professional networks.
YES Program Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the YES program, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of Saudi Arabia
- Be between the ages of 15-17 by the start of the program
- Be born between August 15, 2007 and August 15, 2010
- Be enrolled in a secondary school at the time of application
- Have the equivalent of a B average or better, with no failing grades
- Have not completed more than 11 years of primary education or received a high school diploma by the start of the program
- Demonstrate sufficient English language ability to speak and study in English
- Have not spent more than 90 days in the U.S. in the last five years
- Meet U.S. J-1 visa eligibility requirements
How to Apply:
Fill Out the Application Form: Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open on September 1st. You can access the application form here: click here
Submit Before the Deadline: The preliminary application must be submitted by October 8th. Be sure to complete and review all required fields before submitting.
Application Process
The application process consists of several stages:
- Preliminary Application Deadline: October 8th
- ELTiS Testing & In-Class Essays (Online): October 13th - 17th
- Full Application (Online): October 20th - 26th
- Panel Interviews (Online): To be announced later
Amideast's Role
Amideast is one of five organizations that administer a component of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program. The consortiums are headed by American Councils (www.americancouncils.org) and also include AFS Intercultural Programs (www.afs.org), iEARN (www.iearn.org), and Iowa Resource for International Service (www.iris-center.org).
Amideast manages the application and screening process for the Kennedy-Lugar YES program for the following countries: Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and the West Bank/Gaza.
Students with disabilities:
The program can support students with disabilities and encourages their participation. The Department of State and the YES program work with Mobility International (MIUSA) to provide students with disabilities leadership-building workshops, appropriate information and support as needed to enhance their year in America. Students with disabilities must also meet the above eligibility requirements.
